In just a few days reversal and hernia repair

Hi Kerfuffle and welcome to the group.

I know we have had lots of posts on reversals and dealing with hernias, so I’m glad you’ve been finding the other posts helpful.

I’m sorry I can’t offer any advice as I’ve not dealt with a hernia and my stomas cannot be reversed, but I hope other members of the group will come and share their experiences.

I do however know what it’s like to experience regret about not acting sooner in getting investigated. However, I’ve learned that it isn’t helpful for us to dwell on the past-we are where we are, and just need to deal with things as best we can.

I’ve had several surgeries myself, and each time it’s been a scary thought to be put under. However, you should hopefully feel a lot of relief when the hernia is dealt with, and you will be in a better place mentally after the reversal is completed and the bag is a thing of the past.

I hope everything goes well with the surgery and you’ll let us know how you get on when you’re able.

Sarah xx

Hi Kefuffle,

Let me put put your mind at rest I'm 66 and have recently had both the resection they took 30cms away, and in the last weeks the reversal.

First off do not worry about having another anesthetic the surgical team have looked after you well before and I am sure will do so again. Also this is no where as big an operation as the ones you have been through so the recovery from the surgery should be easier.

The chances of rectal incontinence are there yes, but that is only one of the potential outcomes, so I have been lucky? the first few days it was like water when I went, which was frequently. Then there was a calm I thought I was constipated but it was probably slow transit and the gut re populating. Later frequency and quantity are what comes to mind, yes often, quantity at the moment little each time. Like you I was told only a very small section of my rectum left.

So so far the benefits are lose of the ileostomy and the psychological benefits that come with it (particularly if you are not a lover of the stoma). Yes there is a down side an element of discomfort around the back passage, Yeah ring of fire like a stonking Indonesian curry!

I was nervous about going ahead but compared to the first surgery, I had full open surgery. This time was a breeze.

I can't make up your mind for you but just look at the benefits against the negatives, and you will make the right decision for you.

If you have any specific questions I will answer them if I am able

River Peter

Firstly, my nephew, who is in his fifties, had a reversal some months before mine.  He had a really rough time after his op which drove him to tears, not only because of the frequent visits to the loo but also because of constant vomiting.  He was off work for months.  When he knew I was planning to have a reversal he told me of his problems and asked whether I really wanted to go through with it.  Not only that, but my colorectal nurse and indeed surgeon warned me that times would be hard and life might be better if I stuck with my ileostomy, hernia and stoma.

Nevertheless, I decided to go ahead.

I was in hospital for 7 or 8 days and would not be discharged until I had shown that I could break wind and have a poo.  After 6 days nothing had happened. Finally I farted 22 times overnight (I counted!) and produced some semblance of a poo.  I persuaded the hospital doctor that I would fair better at home and was discharged a day early.  On the way home I sh*t myself in the car.  Over the next few weeks I got little sleep because I was basically sitting on the loo all night.  I sh*t myself in the bedroom, on the bathroom floor, at a family dinner party, and got through many pairs of incontinence briefs.  Eventually I had to spend several nights sitting upright in a camping chair right next to the downstairs loo.

I had to go to my doctor's to have the drawstring stitch removed and was worried that I would sh*t myself in the car again or in the surgery waiting room, but thankfully I didn't.

Several weeks passed during which I elicited many really disgusting farts and smells and produced some unbelievably alien stools, but eventually, after about 18 months, I have reached an equilibrium and would say I'm about 85-90% normal in the pooing department.  So is my nephew.  I don't think we'll improve on that.

Did we do the right thing?  Well, we both think it was worth the considerable inconvenience and we are glad we no longer have a stoma, but if you want to have a reversal, go ahead but be aware of the issues.  They are real!

Good luck, my friends.